What You Should Know About Your Home Inspection: An Interview with Joe Matthews of Triad Home Inspections

Tell us a little bit about your company and the services you offer.

Triad Home Inspections is a family owned/operated company that has been inspecting home in the Piedmont Triad area since 1985. Ron Hough, the founder and president, has performed over 10,000 inspections during that time, is a licensed general contractor, and a certified ASHI home inspector. I've been inspecting homes part time for 5 years, after a two year apprenticeship with Ron, and I have inspected close to 900 homes. I'm a licensed general contractor and a member of ASHI. Terry, our 3rd inspector, primarily performs inspections during the Summer as he is a full time high school biology teacher and is also a licensed general contractor. Triad Home Inspections services include: home inspections, radon testing, well water testing.

What are two or three of the most common repairs that are needed on the houses you've seen in the area?

We typically see minor plumbing leaks, electrical safety issues, which can easily be resolved, and minor damage to the exterior of the house. Approximately, 85% of the issues we report, we observe on a daily basis, and are a result of normal wear and tear on the house.

What should a standard home inspection cover?

A standard home inspection should include readily accessible portions of the electrical system, the plumbing system, the HVAC systems, the built-in kitchen appliances, the roof, the foundation, and the general interior and exterior of the home.

How long should it take for homeowners to receive their inspection report?

Home inspection report are required to be sent to the client within 2 business days. Triad Home Inspections typically sends out reports the same day as the inspection, and no later than 24hrs.

Should a quality home inspector also provide repair work? What are some of the reasons why or why not?

Home Inspectors are required NOT to provide repair work to a home that they've inspected. This would create a bias and the home inspector would no longer be serving the interest of the client.

What are the certification requirements in your state? What are a few benefits of hiring a certified and trained home inspector?

For the NC state home inspector requirements, please check out the North Carolina Home Inspector Licensing Board website. www.nchilb.com To oversimplify the process, an applicant needs to pass an exam and each year take continuing education classes in order to reapply for a home inspection license. A licensed home inspector receives a tremendous amount of education throughout their career. Most inspectors are members of ASHI, American Society of Home Inspectors, or NACHI, InterNational Association of Certified Home Inspectors. These organizations have membership requirements, in addition to the state, that must be met in order to join. In order to maintain a membership yearly education requirements must be satisfied. The wealth of knowledge a licensed home inspector has is the number 1 benefit of hiring a licensed home inspector. A person performing home inspections without a license is in violation of the law.

If a home inspector misses a major defect, do homebuyers have any recourse?

Clients do have recourse if a home inspector misses a defect. Another reason to use a license home inspector, the State of NC governs us. A client can file a complaint if there is an issue that has not been resolved, the state will investigate, and can levy a punishment. Most inspectors carry or are required to carry "E & O" insurance, Errors and Omission Insurance. That way, if a costly defect is missed, the insurance company will pay the claim and the burden does not fall to the client.